Visitor numbers to Saint Lucia in the three months to July were higher than for the same period of 2019.

And Lorine Charles-St Jules, who became Saint Lucia Tourism CEO in February, said that arrivals from the US in July were the highest ever for that month.

She said business from the UK has nearly reached 2019 levels.

Independent restaurants on the Caribbean island had their best July on record, which is further evidence that the island is recovering from the pandemic slump, she added.

Lorine said Saint Lucia was the first island to bring back carnival that month, when it welcomed 10,000 revellers to the island.

In May 2023, it will bring back one of its signature events, the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival. The line-up is due to be confirmed next month.

There are now no COVID restrictions for travel to Saint Lucia.